A Harbourfront Christmas: Celebrate the Season at Ecco
Instead of fireplaces and snow, our festive season is shaped by long summer days, soft harbour breezes, and meals shared with the people who matter most. For more than thirty years, Ecco Ristorante in Drummoyne has been part of that tradition. As a family-owned waterfront restaurant overlooking one of Sydney’s most beautiful stretches of water, Ecco offers a setting that feels warm, effortless, and unmistakably Italian.
December is one of our favourite times of the year. The restaurant comes alive with end-of-year celebrations, long lunches that drift into the afternoon, corporate events marking another year of hard work, and families gathering for their annual Christmas meal.
Whether you are looking for Christmas party venues Sydney-wide or simply want a special dining experience with a view, Ecco brings together seasonal food, relaxed elegance, and the kind of hospitality that feels like a true welcome.
Festive Menus Designed for a Sydney Summer
Christmas in Australia calls for food that feels bright, seasonal, and full of flavour. At Ecco, our festive menus draw directly from our à la carte offering, showcasing seafood at its peak, handmade pasta, and classic Italian dishes prepared with care.
Typical menu highlights include:
• Freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters with a refreshing watermelon salsa
• Raw bluefin tuna carpaccio, finished with olive oil, soy, and basil
• Grilled Skull Island tiger prawns served with Italian XO
• Fried baby calamari with lemon, basil, and aioli
• House-made pasta, prepared fresh each morning
• Tagliatelle with Shark Bay blue swimmer crab, tomato, garlic, dill, and chilli
• Warm Belgian chocolate tortino with vanilla gelato for a festive finish
These dishes reflect the heart of Ecco’s culinary philosophy: food-first, seasonal, and generous without ever feeling heavy.
Vegetarian guests and those with dietary needs are always looked after with thoughtful alternatives. Every table is treated with the same level of care, whether it’s a corporate party or a family celebration.
To match the menu, our wine list features a carefully curated selection of Italian and Australian varietals chosen for warm-weather dining. Crisp whites, light reds, and sparkling options pair beautifully with seafood and pasta. For something more festive, our bar team can prepare summer cocktails, with refreshing spritzes, herb-led gin creations, or bespoke drinks tailored to your event.
Christmas Party Packages for Every Style of Celebration
Choosing the right venue can shape the entire mood of a Christmas event. Our Christmas party packages give you options that suit both corporate and social groups, with flexibility in menu style, seating arrangements, and timing.
Popular event formats include:
Group Banquets
Ideal for teams or families who enjoy long, shared meals with generous platters and relaxed conversation.
Sit-Down Lunches & Dinners
Two- or three-course menus served with attentive table service. Perfect for corporate functions or more formal Christmas gatherings.
Cocktail Events
A social, free-flowing atmosphere with circulating canapés, harbour views, and ample space for guests to mingle.
Corporate organisers can also make use of discreet AV set-ups for speeches or awards. Whether you’re hosting a polished business event or a casual team celebration, we offer weekday lunches, evening bookings, and exclusive venue hire for groups wanting the entire space to themselves. Unlike many Christmas party venues Sydney wide that feel crowded during December, Ecco offers a calmer, slower-paced waterfront escape without the travel time.
Private & Romantic Christmas Dining
Not every Christmas celebration needs a large group. Some are best enjoyed in a quieter, more intimate setting.
Our private dining spaces offer privacy, thoughtful service, and uninterrupted views across the harbour. These secluded rooms are perfect for:
Romantic Christmas dinners
Small family celebrations
Festive catch-ups with close friends
Special occasions that call for a more personal touch
Decor, floral arrangements, and menu choices can all be tailored. Everything is designed to feel polished and personal without being fussy. For larger groups wanting complete exclusivity, full venue hire is available.
A Family Christmas by the Water
Year after year, families choose Ecco for their Christmas lunch or December celebrations because the atmosphere suits every generation. Children enjoy simple, fresh dishes, while adults can relax with a glass of wine and watch the harbour shift with the afternoon light.
Our family-friendly Christmas dining focuses on seasonal favourites:
Shared seafood platters
Fresh salads
Bowls of house-made pasta
Light, festive desserts
Flexible seating arrangements mean we can accommodate both small families and large, multi-generational groups. If someone has a specific request or dietary need, our kitchen adapts with care.
Long Summer Lunches & Group Gatherings
Not every December celebration is labelled a “Christmas party.” Many guests simply want a relaxed long lunch to mark the end of the year. This section helps diversify the content and reduce repetition.
December is the perfect month for long lunches by the water. Whether it’s a reunion with friends, an annual catch-up with colleagues, or a simple celebration of the year that’s passed, the combination of Italian cooking and harbour views creates a setting that feels naturally festive.
A long lunch at Ecco usually unfolds at an unhurried pace — antipasti to start, shared plates through the middle, something sweet to finish, and perhaps a spritz or chilled white wine as the afternoon sun moves across the water. It’s a simple pleasure, but for many of our guests, it’s the highlight of their December traditions.
Christmas Eve Dinner at Ecco
While Christmas Day is often spent at home, Christmas Eve has a quieter charm. Many of our guests choose to begin their celebrations with a peaceful dinner overlooking the harbour.
The menu highlights the best of our summer produce, and the mood is calm and reflective — a gentle way to welcome the holiday. Whether you come as a family, a couple, or a small group of friends, Christmas Eve at Ecco offers an elegant start to the festive season.
How to Book Your Christmas Event
December is one of our busiest months, and many groups book their preferred dates well in advance. To secure your event, we keep the booking process simple:
Send an enquiry via our website or call our events manager
Share your event details including size, style, and preferred date
Receive a tailored proposal with menu and beverage options
Confirm your booking and let our team take care of the rest
Our goal is to make planning effortless so you can focus on enjoying the occasion.
Celebrate a Sydney Christmas at Ecco
Whether you’re hosting a corporate gathering, organising a festive lunch for your team, planning a romantic Christmas dinner, or searching for a memorable family celebration, Ecco offers everything you love about waterfront dining in Sydney, with exceptional food, warm Italian hospitality, and a view that feels like a gift in itself.
If you’re exploring Christmas party venues Sydney-wide, we invite you to celebrate by the harbour with us.
Contact Ecco Ristorante today to start planning your perfect Christmas by the water.
